By Chidi Ugwu
The former Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Alhaji Umar Ajiyia Isa, has denied claims that he was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday over allegations of fraud.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the former NNPCL CFO clarified that, contrary to reports, he voluntarily presented himself to the Commission. He emphasized that at no point was he arrested in connection with the alleged $7.2 billion fraud related to transactions at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
“Nobody arrested me for any $7.2 billion in relation to any refinery fraud. I voluntarily submitted myself for questioning to the EFCC and thereafter I went home. To see in the media stories of my arrest over fraud is unfortunate,” he stated.
He further asserted, “I served at NNPC Limited and I left with my integrity intact. Nobody has accused me of any fraud throughout my sojourn at the Company. People who are pushing this false narrative of arrests and detention just want to tarnish my reputation.”
Isa expressed his readiness to defend both his reputation and years of dedicated service at NNPCL, noting, “I am in this country and any day and anytime the EFCC requests me to appear before them, I will be present.”
